ABOUT LCBGH

Healthcare has become one of the most prominent issues in business and in society, because healthcare costs have risen at more than twice the rate of regular inflation.  We are pleased to announce that there is a group in Lancaster working to keep healthcare affordable. The membership of Lancaster County Business Group on Health (LCBGH) crosses public and private sectors and represents thousands of employees and their dependents.  We encourage the establishment of a responsible partnership between employers and employees to create an environment for the wise use of health benefits.

We are recognized as a resource and advocate for quality healthcare in Lancaster County , working to help businesses adapt to the challenges of employer-sponsored healthcare. We take employers off the island of isolation and share real time information they can use, providing educational and networking forums for companies seeking to make intelligent decisions on health benefits for the local workforce.

• is a group of employers who collectively provide health benefits for some 25,000 employees.
• represents a wide variety of employers: small to large, union and non-union, representing all sectors of the Lancaster County economy. 
• shares ways that other employers are coping with double digit inflation.
• examines and informs about reform efforts of well-respected groups, like the Center for Healthcare Reform and the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative.
• has a Wellness Task Force that developed a turnkey product that can be customized to your company.
• embraces collaborative dialogue among all the players – purchasers, insurers and medical providers.
• encourages communication through an educational web site, a member newsletter, educational seminars, a healthcare conference, and a yearly Research Report on a pertinent topic.
• examines quality of care matters, like medical errors.
• monitors legislative issues such as tort/malpractice reform.
• enhances consumer empowerment for better healthcare through education, services, and links to timely resources.
• highlights changes in the healthcare landscape, putting you on the inside for healthcare information.
• is an autonomous, non-threatening non-profit with modest fees. (see the member tab for dues rates)
• is one of 86 employer coalitions belonging to the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) in Washington, DC. Employer coalitions represent the only local entities that focus solely on the cost of medical care and the quality issues that affect area employers

• CHAIRMAN - Tim Stayer - Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp.
• VICE CHAIRMAN - Heidi Bianco  - Cargas Systems Inc. 
• SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN - Kathleen Shivery - High Industries
• SECRETARY - E. Joy McFerren - Willow Valley Associates, Inc.
• TREASURER - Martin Lowther - Lancaster NeuroScience and Spine Associates

   

   

  Term Ending 2008

   

• Jan Bergen - Lancaster General Hospital
• Rick Burd - The Benecon Group
• Amy Nilsen - Capital Blue Cross
• Connie Erney - HealthAmerica & HealthAssurance
• Paul Rovnak - Howell

   

   

  Term Ending 2009

• Vincent D. Glielmi - Ephrata Community Hospital

   

   

  Term Ending 2010

   

• Vince Casanova - Trion Group

• Julie Evarts - Engle-Hambright & Davies, Inc.

• Steve Ewing - Herr Foods, Inc.

• Kim Glick - Martin Limestone Inc.

• Diane Janney - Lancaster-Lebanon IU-13

• Craig Shelly - Zerbe Sisters Nursing Center

• Kay Smith - Highmark Blue Shield

• Lou Yoka - Fulton Financial Corporation

   

   

  Ex-Officio

   

• Thomas Baldrige - Lancaster Chamber President

   

   

  Staff

   

• Tim Buko - Executive Director
• Laura Mscisz - Administrative Assistant

*  LCBGH policy requires one board seat be reserved for a medical practice manager, one for a physician and one for hospital representation, with that position to rotate on a yearly basis among the four local hospitals.

Lancaster County Business Group on Health (LCBGH) has a volunteer Board of Directors composed of member employers, with one-third of the Board appointed by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In addition, each local hospital serves a one-year term on a rotating basis and one physician and one medical practice manager sit on the Board. The Board meets monthly.

• Executive Committee -The Executive Committee is composed of the officers and the Immediate Past Chair. The Executive Committee has the power to manage and conduct LCBGH business and affairs when the Board is not in session. The Committee meets as often as necessary and makes a full report of its actions at the next Board meeting.
  

• Professional Development Committee -  Professional Development is responsible for planning all seminars, roundtables, and educational programs unless otherwise indicated. The committee selects pertinent topics and/or themes and secures speakers when necessary. The committee is usually in charge of all events including member events, expositions, and other major conferences.

• Member Services Committee - Member Services Committee will be responsible for membership issues and will assume the task of negotiating discount pricing on products and services, such as DocTour™ and WELCOA, that can help LCBGH members impact their healthcare costs.  This group will also coordinate regular networking roundtables for companies to meet and share ideas, success stories and frustrations.

• Strategic Development Committee - Strategic Development will be composed of key stakeholders from all categories (employers, insurers, health providers) and will facilitate development of collaborative solutions to issues affecting healthcare costs. The group will focus on replicating the Asheville Project in Lancaster and on issues of healthcare quality.

• Legislative Liaison - A liaison will monitor healthcare legislative issues through the Lancaster Chamber Advocacy Council.